SCHOOL SYSTEM POLICIES
AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

The Fort Worth Independent School District is governed by a nine member Board of Education. The Board is the governing body responsible for establishing policies and providing support for quality educational opportunities for all students.
The current Board members are:

• Gary J. Manny, President
• Christine C. Moss, Vice President, District 3
• Rose Herrera, Secretary, District 1
• Elaine F. Klos, District 7
• Jean McClung, District 2
• Jesse Martinez, District 6
• Judy G. Needham, District 5
• Rachel D. Newman, District 8
• T.A. Sims, District 4

An analysis of the Fort Worth Independent Schools Board of Education Policy Manual revealed:

1. On-going policy revision and updating
2. Areas in need of policy clarification or new policy development:
   1. homework*
   2. high expectations of staff and students
   3. recognition of outstanding performance; students and staff
   4. data-based decision making
3. Staff development policy (DMC) needs to be re-written in a positive voice and tied to district objectives
4. Superintendent/principal authority over school personnel policy (BJA, DP, DK) needs locally generated language to specifically address the authority of the superintendent over building principals as front-line instructional leaders

We recommend the district continue revising, updating and streamlining policy. Administrative guidelines should be separated from policy statements. In order to reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary filing and record keeping and improve cycle time, district policy should be accessible via on-line computer data-base (in read-only format).

* Written guide books on homework are available, but no explicit policy exists.

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